Sewer-pipe cleaner



Junffi 3, 1930.

C. C. WIN DHURST SEWER PIPE 'CLEANER 'I Filed April 5, 1927 Infventor yr/f U. Mks/@Mmf Attormgy Patented June 3, 1930 PATENT OFFICE CLARK C. WINDHUBST, OF WEST 'UNION, IOWA vsawit.Ta-:Inna: CLEANER Application filed April 5, 1927. Serial I Io. 181,129.

The present invention relates to an improved device which has been constructed for cleaning sewer pipes, and the sameis provided with novel means for penetrating,

gripping, and dislodging objects and obstructions to permit unimpeded flow of the fluid through the pipes.

One feature of construction is a novel sec-b Fig. 2 is a. top plan view of the same.

Fig. '3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end view showing the dislodging means. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the couplings, per se.

In carrying out the invention, I employ a sectional rod which I have generally designated by the reference character 1. This is made up of ,a plurality of sections 2 each of which is provided With a novel coupling 3 on one end.

The coupling as shown in Fig. 3 is formed from a sheet of metal which is bent to provide a channel, the side walls of which are fastened to opposite sides of the section 2. As indicated at Fig. 1, about one-half of this coupling is allowed to protrude beyond the end of the section and this protruding portion is provided with rearwardly inclined slots 4 which form keeper seats for reception of headed coupling pins 5 on the complemental sections.

Fastened to the top side of the section is a flat strip 6 having one end projecting beyond the adjacent end of the section in order to overlie` the meeting ends of the complemental section. It will be understood from this, thateach section comprises a wooden pole (here shown as of rectangular cross section) the same having a metallic coupling on one end and being provided at the opposite end with coupling pins. Any number of these sections will be provided so that the rod may be made of any desired length.

The sections can be easily coupled by angling the added sections, so that the end can be arranged between the side walls of the channel and underneath of the extending tongue on the fiat strip 6. Then this angle section is lowered between the side walls of the panel and the coupling pins 5 are fitted into complemental retainingr slots.

The means (see Fig. 4), for engaging the obstructions, is represented generally at 7 and this comprises a set of resilient fingers 8 which are bowed longitudinally and which terminate in penetrating points 9. The points themselves are preferably curved to the approximate degree shown. This serves to flare the extremities to facilitate use.

It will also be noticed that the crests of the bows are disposed on a plane beyond the side of the rod proper to operate as guides and to facilitate insertion of the device in the pipes.

It Will be noted that two slightly different forms of couplings are provided. For instance by referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that instead of employing the strip 6, I provide the side walls of the panel at one end with .inturned flanges 10 which, obviously, take the place of this strip 6 and are fastened to the wooden part in somewhat the same manner. In other words, the left hand ends of these fianges are allowed to project beyond the section to provide the desired overhang for cooperation with a meeting end of a complemental section.

It is believed that the foregoing description considered in connection with the draw- 9 ings will permit a clear understanding of the construction, method of use, and advantages to be obtained. Therefore, a. more lengthy description is thought unecessary.

Minor changes coming within the scope of the invention claimed, and including variations in size, shape and proportions, may be resor-ted to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is z*- In a structure of the class described, a rod section, a second rod section cooperable with the first rod section and disposed in abutting relation therewith, and a separable coupling for the abutting ends of said rod sections comprisin an open-ended member of channel- ,shape cross section, having one end portion rigidly fastened to one rod section, and having the other end portion projecting beyond said end and receiving the remaining rod section, said projecting end having its side walls formed with inclined slots providing keeper seats, and said last-named rod section having headed fasteners releasably arranged in said 15 keeper seats, together with a flat retaining strip fastened to the first-named rod section and overlying the adjacent end of the complemental rod section.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

20 CLARK C. WINDHURST. 

